The order Ophiostomatales is a group of fungi within the class Sordariomycetes, primarily known for their association with wood and bark, often as pathogens or symbionts of trees. Many species in this order are saprophytic, growing on dead or decaying wood, while others are pathogenic, causing diseases such as Dutch elm disease and blue-stain in timber. Ophiostomatales are typically vectored by bark beetles, which carry their spores from tree to tree, facilitating infection and spread. Morphologically, they are characterized by perithecial ascomata (flask-shaped fruiting bodies) and sticky spores adapted for insect dispersal. Economically, they are significant due to their impact on forestry, timber quality, and tree health, making them an important group for both ecological study and forest management.